Not sure how to handle this.
 

We have been trying to take Layla for daily walks (when it isn't too hot out) and when we walk on one part of the sidewalk, next to us are the fenced in backyards of houses... and quite often there are dogs in the backyards. They come up to their fence and bark aggressively at Layla. She kinda barks back- but more of an -upset- bark, not so much aggressive. I have no idea how to handle that.. do I tell her to stop? Layla I have been grabbing her leash and loudly saing AH AH. In general she has been barking more lately - and the AH AHs work for the most part but i don't think she can even hear me over the other dog barking and I also think it is scaring her (my noise and pulling on her) which i think is making it worse... so what do i do?

walking
 

I run into much the same problem when I walk my little Chi, Kozanna. There are dogs that run out at us sometimes and some that just bark. She reacts, but I just talk quietly to her and keep walking. She wears a harness, so I can pull her gently without hurting her. I keep moving and keep talking to her. I keep an eye on any dogs near us, of course, and would take approprite steps if the dog acted aggressive. We only have friendly dogs so far, wanting to meet Kozanna. We walk all the time, so we know all the neighborhood dogs. We get a different one now and then, but I just keep an eye on them and keep walking. There is a pit bull and a sharpei and a couple of shepherds that aren't loose, but bark, and I sure keep an eye on them. Kozanna isn't too afraid of them, I don't think, but she reacts when they bark or run out at us, of course. There is a pretty little male Chi that runs out and goes in circles around us and I think he would love to play with Kozanna. He isn't outside very often, just to go potty, so we rarely see him.

(I tried to send this via pm so as not to bore the entire forum with my story:rolleyes: but for some reason, each time I click "submit" it says "this page cannot be displayed" and the message doesn't go:confused:)

Ahhh, I feel your pain. Two solid years of obedience and agility training and you just described my walks with Ginger...until DH stepped in.

He decided enough was enough and he walked her exclusively. When she bark, he'd kneel down, hold her firmly by the harness (no pulling) and calmly say "leave it". (Ginger knows "leave it" but I could never get it to work on walks)...Of course, I'm looking at him like "you aren't doing anything I didn't do, it's not going to work". Well guess what? It did. Not only is she the perfect well-mannered pup on our walks now, I can even walk her and she is well behaved for me.

I've reflected on this quite a bit. My trainer always told me that your "emotions travel through the leash" and that I am a bit afraid of the big dogs (true). I thought I was controlling that, but realized...that I do panic a bit and would panic a bit more when she would bark back. I know how quickly a big dog could take her out.

I would have sworn that I wasn't communicating that, but apparently I was. DH's calm assertiveness worked. And it worked faster than you'd think!

P.S. I'm not saying you have to get someone else to walk her, just think about how you are going to react and "feel" when it happens, be prepared, and be calm.

Judy

Great advise! Thanks for sharing that!

I've seen many episodes like that on The Dog Whisperer. Here is what he tells the people.

Your dog is reacting to you and not to the other barking dogs. You tense up and get nervouse or angry or what ever and they take the clue from you.

You need to stand up straight, keep your head up and walk right on past them, totally ignoring them. keep the leash short and whn she turns her head toward the the barking give a quick correction with the leash, you can also add the command "leave it", and keep right on walking at a steady pace.

Practice this going back and forth several times. she should learn to just ignore them as long as you don't let yourself get upset. Stay calm and assertive.

Good Luck I hope that helps

Sounds like good advice. I have just picked Hot Rod up and distracted him while we've walked by big dogs, not necessarily barking dogs.:)

:thumbup::thumbup: this is what i do. i'm not afraid of the big dogs we meet. Morgan just wants to play and run towards them but i just keep on walking. when she pulls toward them i pull her back gently and do the "shht" sound caesar does. works like a charm.

Loki is truly afraid of the big dogs, so I take treats with me and as soon as I see big dogs I pull them out and let him know I have a treat. Sometimes I can keep his attention with just a "watch me" or "let's keep walking" but if it's a super big dog or it's barking at him, I lose his attention, so treats help. I don't always have to use them, but I have them. Also, I can keep his attention when it's just Loki and me, but once you throw Sammy in the mix (who isn't so good with commands and always wants to go meet the big dog) I lose a little control, so again treats help.

The lady on Its Me or the Dog on the Animal Planet distracting with command watch me and treats until finally they could go by the dogs without the dog she was training react.

WOW guys.. WONDERFUL advice! i will try those tonight when we go on a walk and report back!